Promoting Equity

Promoting diversity and inclusion and fighting racism in all its forms

Ontario’s diverse population is one of its greatest strengths.

In 2014, you elected us to build Ontario up. Since then, the Ontario Liberal government has promoted diversity, equity and inclusion, to ensure that the province is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. It has worked with Ontario public schools to welcome newcomer students, including thousands of Syrian refugees. It has taken steps to make sure that Ontario’s curriculum, teaching and assessment practices and learning resources are culturally appropriate.

The Ontario Liberal government has also created the Anti-Racism Directorate to increase public education and awareness of racism and to identify, address and prevent systemic racism in government policies and programs. It has launched the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan to improve outcomes for Black children and youth.

But we need to do more. Systemic racism continues to exist and racialized people face barriers in schools, workplaces and communities. Racialized, Black and Indigenous people continue to be over-represented in our jails and children’s aid system.

That’s why the Ontario Liberals will continue to promote diversity and inclusion and to fight racism in all its forms. Our plan will:

Continue the important work of data collection, integration and analysis to ensure we know the makeup of Ontario students and school staff and can address barriers to student success

Build on the work of the Anti-Racism Directorate in the justice, education and child welfare sectors by examining disparities in the health sector and determining how we can better provide services to all Ontarians

Work with government partners to explore the collection and publication of data on reported incidences of anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of racial prejudice

Ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are reflected in public schools and provide support to teachers to fight racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism

Support groups promoting anti-racism

Continue to improve outcomes for Black youth

Improve the quality and delivery of justice to marginalized people

Increase diversity on government agencies, boards and commissions

Reduce health disparities among racialized and marginalized communities by developing health equity indicators and local plans, working with community partners, to ensure more culturally appropriate care is available across the province